Black history month is a month that is recognized as an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and their history and culture. It recognizes African American heroes and their too often neglected accomplishments in every area of endeavor. It’s a month dedicated to cherishing African American heritage and honor their successes.

Rosa Parks was an American activist who played one of the biggest roles in the civil rights movement especially for her involvement in the Montgomery bus boycott. Some refer to her as the mother of the civil rights movement as she is one of the most influential people and is often seen as the face of the movement. Parks actions helped initiate the civil rights movements because she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955. The Montgomery Bus Boycott began the day that Parks was convicted of violating the segregation laws.

Jackie Robinson, an American pro baseball player, was the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era. He broke the color barrier that had segregated the sport for over 50 years. Jackie excelled early at all sports and was the first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track. Despite financial difficulties causing him to have to leave college and enlist in the Army and then being honorably discharged, none of this stopped Jackie from continuing his career as a professional athlete. At the end of Jackie’s rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he had become National League Rookie of the Year. His life and legacy will be remembered as one of the most important in American history.

Madam C.J. Walker created specialized African American hair care products and became the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Her own hair loss is what was the inspiration behind her decision to pursue this invention. She was the first in her family to be free-born as she came from a long line of slaves.